hey,

i love the album. Not every song is great, but there are so many fantastic songs. The title track, "So What The Fuss", "From The Bottom..." , "How Do I Know?", "Moon Blue"...

There's one track that I think that's terrible, it sounds like "What's That Your're Doing" with McCartney.!

what do you think?

do you think it' his best in 30 years? well, really, i think it at least the best since "Hotter Than July"

i'm gonna have to concur. he's got classics to spare on this one but people take it for granted cuz it's stevie

I have the cd. Really nice.

I was shocked that I dig this cd. I thought Stevie was OVA.
I was wrong.

Best since Hotter Than July u mean

The best since Characters 1987

i have to admit i HATE Conversation PEace. and believe me, it's hard for me to hate anything by SW...

It is a great album.

I worked with a friend of mine during the making of it... nearly 10 years in the making. Femi Jiya also worked hard on this album.

It captures alot of the '70s Stevie vibe very well.

It is indeed a strong album, and I dig it.

~G

Graycap23 said:

Oh man, Mike. I loved 'Characters'.

graecophilos said:

Agreed!!

Best project since the "Jungle Fever" soundtrack.

Graycap23 said:

I think its a bit uneven, but maybe because I'm nitpicky;

I think in general theres a more natural feel, than his more recent albums, but also, some mistakes as well

1. Why isn't most of the instrumentation on From the Bottom of My Heart sound programmed. I love this song live, and it sounds so bland because of the production.

2. Rap singing; I think he gets it on So What The Fuss, but it really falls apart on otherwise strong songs like "If Your Love Cannot Be Moved" and "Positivity"

3. A Time to Love; everytime hes performed this song live it shines, but the album version is filled with so much percussion, it loses its loose feel. All this song needed was bass, strings, drums and piano.

4. Stevie's voice in general; its changed, which no doubt he cannot help. But his vocal failings really stand out on songs like " IYLCBM" especially "True Love", and it took 10 years to finish. Of course when you set the standard with albums he made in the 80's (despite what you thought of the material, Stevie SANG those songs beautifully) And also, I heard him in November, he sounded great, so I don't quite get the disconnect really.

That being said... Moon Blue is sublime, great vocals, everything, I love the funk of So What The Fuss, Please Don't Hurt My Baby, with its fun talkbox and My Love Is on Fire(which stevie was trying to have Luther record). The ballads are the best too, especially "Can't Imagine Love Without You" Keep recording Stevie.

Love this CD. Moon Blue.....

this album got me ito stevie, i love it to death. i own songs in the key of life , hotter then july , talking book , innervisions a collection of hits. and its probaly the best album since hotter then july

I love the album,but I think there are too many ballads.With a few more uptempo tracks,the album would have been perfect.

motownlover said:

What's taking you so long to get Fulfillingness' First Finale?

AlexdeParis said:

im a student when i find the time and money ill buy my favorite piece of music

Giovanni777 said:

His last REALLY good cd.....until now.

Good album, but I still prefer Characters. Stevie, on too many songs, tried to cram a bunch of words into the verses. I really like the album, but that can be annoying on this go-round.

graecophilos said:

Please tell me I've misunderstood this. He hasn't done another song with McCartney has he?

ThreadBare said:

Characters was better no doubt. But at least this new on is good.

Should have been recorded to tape.

Exetergirl I liked your post... I think Ebony And Ivory is a nice peac eof work. And Stevie had MUCH MORE to do with it then people think. he co-wrote the verses...
If there's one song McCartney should be ashamed of it's "We All Stand Together"

but to come back: I have to admit, that I dislike his 80s albums (besides HTJ), because of the production. and I think his songs were lame.

Some of the songs he gave away in 80s... he should have saved them for his own albums.

Does anyone know: The Crown??? haha, it's my favorite rap-song!!!

graecophilos said:

Exactly. Ebony & Ivory was classic and innovative for its time.
[Edited 3/30/08 10:46am]

i'm not sure bout that "innovative" thing. why do you think it's innovative?

graecophilos said:

Harmony wise.

Giovanni777 said:

only song on it i really don't care for is passionate raindrops...but it really is a nod to his compositional brilliance, and the wisdom of an elder songsman

graecophilos said:

Yes, I like The Crown (Gary Byrd Experience), and I agree that the 80s production ruined some songs. For me, I Just Called To Say I Love You is actually a really good, sincere love song that was spoiled by an awful bass line. The most diplomatic thing I can say about Ebony and Ivory is that it was good for race relations, but I'm happy for you if you enjoy it. We've all got our own taste in music, especially on this site.